Uber, Lyft Unveil Ballot Initiative to Counter California Gig-Economy Law | Hacker News Reader

Uber, Lyft Unveil Ballot Initiative to Counter California Gig-Economy Law

wsj.com

11 pointskupatrupa4 comments

Note that this is an Initiative Statute[0] (not a Referendum). This allows them to write a broader package of laws (rather than just "undo" any previous bill) to implement a broader wish list.

When reading it, note that "engaged" means with an active rider/fare, not all time available accepting rides on the app. 25 hours of actual engaged time in a week sounds improbably high.

[0] https://protectdriversandservices.com/wp-content/uploads/201...

No doubt the folk who sat around cooking up this are well paid, well employed, enjoying good benefits. All that schooling, training, experience and cognitive energy focussed on the problem of not being able to treat people like robot cattle.

Yes, this is a terrible idea.

Thankfully the legislature in California was forced to step in to protect the people of California. Almost no Californians are capable of understanding how uber and Lyft are taking advantage of them, essentially stealing their money.

Further, a large population in California are ESL or primary language is some other than English. These individuals don't have the capacity to understand the full ramifications of using such services. Stepping in to protect these minority groups was a no brainer.

Thankfully, our state legislature has a complete and full understanding of the citizens of California. It's highly unlikely that even if they mount some type initiative, it will fail or the state can use some alternative tactic to keep the people safe.

Yes, thankfully the state of California, in its infinite wisdom and knowledge of the particular circumstances of each individual involved, knows better than those poor schmucks who don't even speak english as their first language and therefore, in its great kindness, has determined to use the full force of law to prevent these poor, hapless individuals from contracting for Uber or Lyft, even if they think it's better than any other alternative they have at offer. Thank goodness the state is in such a better position from which to measure their alternatives, or we might have had to assume that people who choose to work with either company are doing so because they prefer it over every other available option. /s

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